Week in Laurel Hill

News Briefs

&lt;bt&gt;The Fairfax County Police Department's West Springfield District Station is hosting its second annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 12 p.m.-4 p.m., at Heritage Mall, 7857 Heritage Drive, Annandale. The event features music, vendors, a moon bounce and other entertainment for children. Attendees can see a seized BMW from a drug dealer, police motorcycles, police K-9 dogs and visit with McGruff the Crime Dog. Crime prevention and traffic safety information will be available as well as a SWAT Team display. Citizens may also obtain child seat inspections and vehicle etching.

Contact Pfc. Douglas Coulter, Crime Prevention Officer

at West Springfield District Station, at 703-644-5026.

&lt;sh&gt;Careers in IT Panel

&lt;bt&gt;A panel on current and future trends in information technology and what employers are looking for in potential employees takes place Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 1-2:30 p.m., at The Ernst Community Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale.

&lt;bt&gt;The Fairfax County Park Authority is conducting a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at W.T. Woodson High School, 9525 Main St., Fairfax. Results of a consultant’s Athletic Field Lighting Technical Report will be presented at the meeting in order to gain public input. The consultant’s report and public input will be used to develop athletic field lighting specifications and guidelines. These specifications will allow the Park Authority to better address the concerns of park neighbors, create more economically viable lighting systems, and utilize the latest technology to reduce the glare and spill of lighting systems. This meeting will address the need to standardize the criteria for assessing and managing lighting systems and installation.

The consultant’s report is available at the Fairfax County Park Authority at the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 421, Fairfax or at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fieldlighting.htm. To speak at the public meeting, call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662 or e-mail parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The public comment period will close on Monday, Dec. 19. Written comments should be directed to Ms. Lynn S. Tadlock, Director of Planning & Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 421, Fairfax, VA 22035. E-mail comments should be sent to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

&lt;sh&gt;Scouting For Food

&lt;bt&gt;Burke Centre scouts are visiting community residences to collect food for the World Food Bank, as well as local food banks, on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Cub Scout Packs 1346 and 1348 will deliver food donation bags to Burke Centre residences (specifically Fairview Elementary area). Residents are asked to use these bags for making food donations to help stop hunger this holiday season.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 1346 will pick up the food donation bags from residences on Saturday, Nov. 12. Residents are encouraged to fill the bags with canned foods and other nonperishable items, and to leave them outside their doorsteps for pickup by Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. For more information, call Michael Holleran at 703-250-4207.